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A PROSPECTUS 

OF  THE 


INTERNATIONAL  INSTITUTE 


OF  CHINA 


OR,  THE  MISSION  AMONG  THE 
HIGHER  CLASSES  IN  CHINA 


PROSPECTUS 


To  every  American  who,  actuated  by  a spirit  of  magnanim- 
ity, conciliation,  and  broad  humanitarianism,  seeks  for  imme- 
diate and  effective  connection  with  the  men  and  women  of 
greatest  influence  throughout  China — for  every  one  who 
prays  for  peace  in  the  Far  East,  and  thereby  for  the  peace  of 
the  world — The  International  Institute  of  China  commends 
itself  as  a scheme  for  consideration,  as  a field  for  usefulness, 
and  as  an  opportunity  for  generosity. 

HISTORICAL  OUTLINE. — The  idea  originated  in  expe- 
rience, circumstances,  and  conditions  peculiar  to  China;  it  is 
no  outside  excrescence,  has  won  its  way  by  no  foreign  inter- 
ference, and  has  never  been  dominated  from  abroad,  but  by 
responsible  men  on  the  ground — representatives  of  all  nation- 
alities and  all  creeds.  The  idea  was  evolved  after  ten  years  of 
missionary  work  by  an  American  Presbyterian  missionary,  the 
Rev.  Gilbert  Reid,  D.D.  As  the  Presbyterian  Board  of 
Foreign  Missions  did  not,  at  the  time,  see  its  way  to  undertake 
or  countenance  the  plan  originally  contemplated  in  connec- 
tion with  the  upper  classes  of  China,  but  preferred  that  such 
work  be  attempted  independent  of  their  control  and  support, 
Dr.  Reid,  in  May,  1894,  withdrew  from  the  Board,  and  ven- 
tured upon  an  individual  experiment.  Thence  resulted  what 
has  been  known  as  The  Mission  among  the  Higher  Classes  in 
China,  and  later,  in  1897,  The  International  Institute  of 
China.  At  the  outset,  there  were  only  some  $1,400  in  the 
treasury;  since  then,  in  the  face  of  many  difficulties  and 
changes,  over  $100,000  have  been  contributed  to  the  work. 
Of  this  amount,  more  than  two-thirds  came  from  the  Chinese; 

5 


beyond  this,  $13,000  have  been  received  by  the  American  and 
British  Committees. 

The  experiment  was  begun  at  the  Imperial  Capital  towards 
the  close  of  1894,  a time  of  strategic  importance,  owing  to  war 
between  Japan  and  China.  Previous  effort  had  resulted  in 
personal  acquaintance  with  upwards  of  100  mandarins,  and  a 
few  of  the  literati;  this  number,  in  a little  over  two  years’  time, 
was  increased  to  over  400,  while  communication  was  opened 
with  as  many  as  600,  including  nearly  all  the  influential  men 
in  the  Imperial  Government,  Manchus  and  Chinese,  conserva- 
tive and  progressive.  This  was  at  a time  when  custom  and 
prejudice  made  it  almost  impossible  for  persons  of  other 
countries,  even  Ministers  Plenipotentiary,  to  have  social  rela- 
tions with  Chinese  mandarins  at  their  own  homes.  For  the 
first  time  a person  of  another  country,  in  a private  capacity, 
was  admitted  to  the  Imperial  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs, 
through  the  favor  and  courtesy  of  its  chief,  the  powerful 
Prince  Ivung.  After  different  conferences  with  that  body,  an 
Official  Sanction,  under  the  seal  of  the  Board,  was  given  to 
Dr.  Reid,  direct,  in  March,  1897;  this  being  the  first  docu- 
ment ever  presented  a Westerner  for  an  educational  enterprise 
under  foreign  initiative.  This  meant  the  approval  of  Prince 
Kung,  of  Prince  Ching,  who  remains  to-day  the  highest  official 
in  the  Empire,  of  Grand  Secretary  Li  Flung-chang,  Premier 
of  the  Government,  of  Rung  Luh,  future  Premier  and  Gen- 
eralissimo, of  Weng  Tung-ho,  tutor  of  the  Emperor,  of  Li 
Hung-tsao,  tutor  of  a previous  Emperor,  and  of  five  others 
who  also  held  positions  as  Presidents  or  Vice-Presidents  of 
the  Six  Boards.  In  addition,  Li  Hung-chang  presented  Dr. 
Reid  a testimonial,  commending  his  enterprise  to  “many 
friends  in  the  United  States.”  On  hearing  of  the  death  of 
Dr.  Reid’s  father,  a clergyman  in  the  United  States,  as  many 
as  225  Peking  officials  joined  in  presenting  126  memorial  ban- 
ners and  scrolls. 


7 


With  such  a backing,  with  an  opportunity  that  has  no  par- 
allel, the  founder  of  The  International  Institute  started  forth 
to  raise,  in  the  shortest  time  possible,  a sufficient  sum  of 
money,  $75,000,  to  make  The  Institute  a power  and  a credit 
at  the  Capital,  as  a bond  of  union  between  the  East  and  West. 
To  make  the  matter  surer,  foreign  and  Chinese  friends  in 
Shanghai  and  other  ports  were  asked  to  help,  with  a result 
that  in  three  months’  time  one-fifth  of  the  amount  contem- 
plated was  subscribed.  Unfortunately  the  response  in  Amer- 
ica and  Europe,  while  most  appreciative,  failed  to  meet  the 
opportunity.  War  between  the  United  States  and  Spain 
closed  the  door  for  arousing  interest  in  China.  Over  $6,000 
were  contributed,  but  a further  amount  of  $10,000  (subscrip- 
tions from  such  men  as  William  E.  Dodge,  Morris  K.  Jesupr 
J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  and  George  B.  Cluett)  was  on  the  condi- 
tion that  the  whole  amount  of  $75,000  be  first  guaranteed. 
Sir  Thomas  Hanbury  in  England  promised  £5,000,  with  the 
proviso  that  the  Chinese  Government  continue  to  approve  and 
to  aid.  Committees  of  distinguished  men  were  formed  in 
America,  Great  Britain,  France,  Holland,  and  Germany.  At 
this  period,  too  much  time  was  consumed  awaiting  the  action 
of  the  Chinese.  Thus,  through  delay  in  the  home  lands,  the 
opportunity  which  had  arisen  in  Peking  in  1897  disappeared. 
Every  one  was  feeling  the  spirit  of  reaction,  caused  by  the 
coup  d’etat  of  1898,  when  the  late  Empress  Dowager  reversed 
the  engine  of  reform  which  had  been  driven  at  high  pressure 
by  the  young  Emperor.  As  the  former  French  Minister  to 
Peking,  Monsieur  Gerard,  remarked  in  the  spring  of  1899  to 
Dr.  Reid  in  the  city  of  Brussels,  “What  a pity  your  plan  was 
not  carried  out,  when  everything  was  favorable  two  years  ago ! 
Then  you  might  have  stemmed  the  tide  of  reaction,  which  has 
since  set  in.” 

The  Director-in-Chief  returned  to  Peking  in  the  autum 
of  1899.  Conditions  had  changed.  The  barriers  of  suspicion 

9 


hostility,  and  hyper-conservatism  were  greater  than  ever.  The 
Foreign  Ministers  in  Peking,  the  Inspector-General  of  Cus- 
toms, Sir  Robert  Hart,  Bart.,  the  Roman  Catholic  Bishop, 
Monseigneur  Favier,  and  the  Protestant  missionaries,  joined 
the  committee,  but  the  great  wall  of  reaction  rose  higher 
and  higher.  Through  lack  of  money  ready  to  hand,  nothing 
could  be  effected.  A conference  was  held  twice  with  Ministers 
of  the  Foreign  Office,  but  no  endorsement  in  the  way  of  prac- 
tical assistance  was  forthcoming.  The  opportune  time  had 
gone.  The  execution  of  the  plan,  if  realized  early  in  1898, 
when  the  reform  movement  gained  force,  might  have  done 
untold  good  and  helped  to  keep  back  latent  hostility;  but  later, 
the  best  of  efforts  could  only  be  futile. 

By  1900  the  Boxer  uprising  had  swept  on  to  Peking;  the 
Legations  were  besieged;  Dr.  Reid,  with  his  wife  and  child, 
was  among  the  unfortunate;  and  he  himself  was  wounded, 
while  his  household  effects — books,  papers,  letters,  etc. — every- 
thing, including  even  the  scrolls  presented  by  Li  Hung-chang 
and  other  officials,  were  destroyed.  With  the  Court  in  flight, 
and  foreign  Powers  in  possession,  Dr.  Reid  could  only  wait 
and  bide  his  time.  He  became  special  correspondent  to  the 
Morning  Post  of  London,  and  acted  as  Chinese  interpreter  to 
the  British  Indian  Forces  in  Peking.  Shortly  after  the  Court 
had  returned  to  the  Capital,  and  the  Government  was  re- 
established, Dr.  Reid  had  a conference  with  the  new  Board  of 
Foreign  Affairs,  the  Waiwu  Puli,  but  beyond  words  of  com- 
mendation, no  inducement  for  continuing  the  work  in  Peking, 
under  existing  circumstances,  was  offered.  If  the  plan  could 
be  achieved  elsewhere,  the  promise  was  made  by  the  Chinese 
Ministers  to  memorialize  the  Throne. 

In  April,  1903,  a public  meeting  was  called  at  Shanghai,  the 
commercial  emporium  of  China,  to  recommend  the  establish- 
ment of  The  Institute  at  this  important  treaty-port.  In  Au- 
gust a number  of  leading  Chinese  mandarins  and  merchants 


10 


came  together  at  the  Office  of  the  Imperial  Treaty  Commis- 
sioners, and  unanimously  voted  to  buy  a site  for  The  Institute, 
at  a cost  of  some  $25,000,  in  expectation  of  equal  support 
from  friends  in  other  lands ; especially  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain.  Another  opportunity  was  presented  for 
friendly  helpfulness  and  joint  action.  If  the  response  had 
been  prompt  and  hearty,  at  least  on  the  part  of  America,  the 
bonds  of  friendship  would  have  been  so  cemented  that  the 
movement  for  boycotting  American  goods,  in  the  opinion  of 
those  who  know  best,  would  never  have  occurred.  A trustee 
of  The  Institute  who  became  leader  in  the  boycott  movement 
would  have  remained  a friend  on  the  appearance  of  American 
generosity.  Without  personal  appeal  from  the  Director-in- 
Chief,  only  $13,000  were  collected  up  to  the  year  1910,  the 
larger  part  coming  from  Mr.  William  G.  Low,  Chairman  of 
the  American  Committee.  At  this  time,  the  New  York  Sun 
thus  wrote:  “The  International  Institute  and  Mission  among 
the  Higher  Classes  in  China,  shipwrecked  in  the  Boxer  troubles 
of  1900  with  many  other  missions,  has  been  towed  out  of  the 
sto,rmy  currents  of  foreign  enterprise  in  Peking,  and,  recon- 
structed on  the  old  lines  and  with  a clear  sky  and  a brighter 
future,  has  started  business  again  in  Shanghai.  Two  years 
ago  Mr.  Gilbert  Reid  was  in  the  dumps  about  his  mission. 
And  now  he  comes  smiling  out  of  disaster,  with  a record  of 
actual  progress  made  toward  establishing  The  Institute  which 
is  to  bring  the  East  and  West  in  touch,  and  with  his  dream  of 
making  the  Chinese  our  warmest  friends  a little  nearer  to  reali- 
zation than  it  was  before.” 

If  progress  could  be  reported  then,  how  much  more  to-day. 
Communication  with  mandarins  has  been  resumed,  though 
Shanghai  is  not  the  political  center  that  Peking  is.  Three  Im- 
perial Commissioners,  gathered  in  Shanghai  for  making  Com- 
mercial Treaties,  Sheng  Hsuan-huai  (called  Sheng  Kung 
Pao),  Wu  Ting-fang,  and  Lit  ITai-huan,  joined  the  Com- 


12 


mittee,  and  contributed  liberally  to  the  funds,  while  the  last 
one  served  also  as  President  of  The  Institute  Council,  until 
his  transfer  to  Peking.  Correspondence  was  entered  into  with 
Viceroys  and  Governors  of  all  the  twenty-one  Provinces,  and 
during  the  last  seven  years  eight  Viceroys  and  seven  Gov- 
ernors have  given  financial  assistance.  Provincial  capitals 
within  easy  reach  of  Shanghai  have  from  time  to  time  been 
visited  by  Dr.  Reid.  To  the  list  of  400  mandarins  previously 
known,  100  more  names  should  certainly  be  added.  From  the 
commercial  character  of  Shanghai,  the  Chinese  merchants, 
representing  different  guilds  and  many  sections  of  the  country, 
have  been  brought  into  social  and  friendly  relations  with 
“guests  from  abroad”;  prominent  men  have  joined  different 
Committees  of  The  Institute;  and  many  have  contributed.  Ac- 
quaintance has  been  made  with  retired  officials,  with  wealthy 
gentry,  with  members  of  the  new  provincial  Assemblies,  with 
leaders  in  the  modern  educational  movement,  as  well  as  with 
devotees  of  different  religions  or  supporters  of  charitable 
undertakings.  Through  class-work,  which  has  been  contin- 
uously carried  on,  500  Chinese  lads  and  young  men,  from 
twelve  Provinces,  have  come  under  the  influence  of  Western 
ideas.  A desirable  piece  of  ground  has  been  purchased  and 
beautified,  and  four  buildings  of  moderate  size  have  been 
erected.  As  Dr.  Wu  Ting-fang  said  at  a banquet  tendered 
him  prior  to  his  departure  to  Washington:  “To  my  mind,  this 
Institute  in  course  of  time  will  work  wonders  in  China.  It  is 
a kind  of  missionary  work  against  which  no  evil  word  can  be 
said,  and  where  foreigners — merchants,  diplomats,  and  mis- 
sionaries— and  our  own  people — officials,  scholars,  merchants, 
and  tradesmen — will  all  be  welcome,  and  they  should  all  most 
heartily  support  this  Institute.” 

During  the  summer  of  1909,  it  was  thought  best  for  The 
Institute  to  depute  Dr.  Reid  to  revisit  Peking.  In  seven 
weeks’  time  he  met  80  of  the  nobles  and  mandarins,  renewed 


13 


old  friendships,  and  discussed,  with  men  in  responsible  posi- 
tion, problems  of  State  for  the  welfare  of  China.  The  Presi- 
dents of  five  of  the  Boards,  and  four  Vice-Presidents,  con- 
tributed to  the  work.  In  December  the  Imperial  Board  of 
Foreign  Affairs  fulfilled  its  previous  promises  by  giving  under 
official  seal  a second  Recognition  of  The  International  Insti- 
tute. An  honorific  Tablet  was  sent  to  The  Institute  with  a 
donation  of  Taels  2,000  (say,  $1,500),  while  a Memorial  with 
copies  of  Dr.  Reid’s  publications  in  Chinese  was  presented  the 
Throne,  and  an  Imperial  Order  of  the  Yellow  Dragon  was  by 
Imperial  Rescript  bestowed  on  Mr.  William  G.  Low  of  New' 
York  City.  Dr.  Reid  had  insisted  that  no  decoration  should 
be  bestowed  on  himself.  He  sought  prestige  for  The  Institute, 
and  appreciation  of  the  donors. 

Early  in  the  present  year  of  1910,  three  special  committees 
were  formed  from  members  of  The  Institute  in  Shanghai,  for 
mutual  cooperation  of  Chinese  and  those  from  other  lands, 
viz.,  Chinese  and  foreign  merchants;  Chinese  and  foreign  edu- 
cationists and  men  of  letters;  and  Chinese  and  foreigners  con- 
nected with  different  religious  Faiths.  There  has  also  been 
formed  a Ladies’  International  Teacup  Club— the  beginning 
of  a work  among  the  better  class  of  Manchu  and  Chinese 
ladies. 

Under  a Resolution  offered  by  a former  American  Consul- 
General,  Hon.  T.  R.  Jernigan,  and  supported  by  the  present 
Consul-General,  Hon.  Amos  P.  Wilder,  the  members  of  The 
Institute  decided  that  the  time  had  come  to  depute  the  Director- 
in-Chief  to  again  visit  the  United  States,  in  the  interests  of  The 
Institute.  During  these  sixteen  years  Dr.  Reid  from  his  own 
salary  has  turned  into  the  treasury  $4,500,  while  for  three 
years  and  three  months  he  drew  no  salary  at  all.  Previous 
to  his  leaving  for  America,  a reception  was  given  to  him  and 
to  Mrs.  Reid,  at  which  time  a President  of  one  of  the  Peking 
Boards,  four  Viceroys,  and  four  Governors — from  Man- 


id 


churia  in  the  north  to  Canton  in  the  south — appointed  special 
deputies  to  give  their  greetings  of  regard.  Such  a wide  expres- 
sion of  esteem  from  Chinese  officials  to  one  of  another  country, 
as  exhibited  in  this  way,  is  an  unusual  occurrence.  On  leav- 
ing by  train  for  Woosung,  where  the  steamer  “Bessie  Dollar” 
lay  anchored,  the  private  car  of  the  able  railway  President, 
Mr.  M.  Y.  Chung,  who  serves  on  the  Executive  Committee  of 
The  Institute,  was  placed  at  Dr.  Reid’s  disposal.  Traveling 
across  the  Pacific,  Mr.  Robert  Dollar  of  San  Francisco,  an- 
other friend  of  The  Institute,  kindly  offered  reduced  rates. 
With  response  in  America  equally  encouraging,  the  scheme  of 
The  Institute  will  in  the  near  future  be  once  more  presented  to 
the  countries  of  Europe,  to  help  maintain  its  international 
character. 

CHARACTER  OF  ORGANIZATION.— At  the  outset 
there  was  only  an  individual  experiment ; the  mission  was  a 
“one  man’s  mission” ; but  more  and  more  the  scheme  has  be- 
come organized,  and  The  International  Institute  has  riot  only 
been  officially  sanctioned,  but  legally  incorporated.  From  the 
beginning,  no  success  would  have  been  possible  without  the 
concurrence  and  cooperation  of  supporters  in  China  and  in 
the  home  lands.  Beyond  all  this,  the  founder  of  The  Insti- 
tute, on  whom  has  rested  the  greater  burdens,  has  sought  for 
associates  in  the  work,  and  to  so  organize  the  enterprise  that 
it  would  remain  a permanency.  For  nearly  two  years,  during 
Dr.  Reid’s  absence  from  China,  Rev.  W.  A.  P.  Martin,  D.D., 
FF.D.,  was  in  charge  in  Peking,  until  appointed  first  President 
of  the  new  Imperial  University.  For  another  two  years,  Rev. 
William  B.  Stelle,  B.A.,  a graduate  of  Colgate  University  and 
Yale  Theological  Seminary,  was  connected  with  the  work, 
until  after  the  siege  of  Peking,  he  became  a missionary  of  the 
American  Board,  and  remained  in  Peking.  Both  of  them 
helped  the  work,  without  expense  to  The  Institute,  and,  in  ad- 
dition, made  contributions,  Dr.  Martin  giving  as  much  as  $750. 

15 


Rev.  Dr.  W.  A.  P.  Martin 
Former  Co-Director  of  Institute 


16 


During  1907,  Dr.  Reid  had  two  colleagues.  One  was  Mr.  W. 
S.  Ho,  nephew  of  Minister  Wu  Ting-fang,  selected  as  Chinese 
Consul  in  New  York  City.  The  other  was  the  Rev.  Fred  Perry, 
of  Oxford  and  London  Universities,  who  afterwards  became 
curate  of  the  Church  of  England  Cathedral  in  Shanghai,  and 
Head  Master  of  the  Cathedral  School.  By  1908,  Dr.  Yao 
Ping-ren,  of  highest  literary  degree,  a Hanlin,  a former  Liter- 
ary Chancellor  in  the  Province  of  Shantung,  and  a friend  of 
The  Institute  for  over  ten  years,  was  elected  co-director,  while 
at  the  end  of  1909,  Mr.  Yen  Shan-fang,  a student  under  Dr. 
Reid  for  three  years,  and  for  another  three  years  an  assistant 
in  translation  and  Chinese  correspondence,  was  selected,  in 
conjunction  with  Dr.  Yao,  to  direct  the  work  during  the 
absence  of  the  Director-in-Chief. 

To  give  security  and  a legal  status  to  The  Institute,  Memo- 
randa and  Articles  of  Association  were  drawn  up,  under  advice 
of  an  English  barrister-at-law,  were  presented  to  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Colony  of  Hongkong,  and,  being  in  harmony 
with  the  Hongkong  ordinances,  incorporation  was  duly  granted 
to  “The  International  Institute  of  China,”  in  December. 
1905,  with  headquarters  or  Central  Office  in  Shanghai.  The 
Institute  is  incorporated  as  a Limited  Liability  Company,  with 
control  placed  jointly  in  the  hands  of  Chinese  and  those  who 
are  members  from  other  countries.  This  is  one  organization 
in  China  in  which,  by  its  Charter,  Chinese  and  foreign  capi- 
tal may  be  combined,  and  Chinese  and  foreigners  exercise 
authority  together,  maintain  certain  definite  responsibilities, 
and  receive  certain  definite  privileges.  Moreover,  the  Articles 
of  Association  and  the  objects  of  the  Organization  remain  in 
essential  agreement  with  the  Regulations  approved  by  the 
Chinese  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs  in  1897. 

Under  this  Constitution,  subscribing  members  (who  pay 
$10  per  annum,  and  permanent  members  (who  contribute  Taels 
5QO=$35o)  have  the  power  to  vote  like  shareholders  in  a 


17 


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18 


Admiral  Sir  Sah  Chen-ping 


Company.  From  this  number  is  elected  a General  Committee, 
called  Advisory  Council,  which  with  all  the  members  holds  two 
meetings  a year.  It  consists  of  some  sixty  of  the  more  promi- 
nent members — Chinese  officials,  heads  of  different  guilds, 
officers  of  the  Chinese  Chamber  of  Commerce,  directors  of 
Government  institutions,  well-known  gentry,  Consuls-General 
of  nine  countries,  the  Judge  of  the  British  Supreme  Court  in 
China  and  of  the  United  States  Court  for  China,  and  leading 
foreign  merchants,  missionaries,  and  educationists.  The  first 
President  of  this  Council  was  Hon.  John  Goodnow,  doyen  at 
the  time  of  the  Consular  Body,  and  American  Consul-General, 
who  was  succeeded  by  His  Excellency  Lu  Hai-huan,  former 
Minister  to  Germany,  a Treaty  Commissioner,  and  later  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Sir  Admiral  Sah  Chen-ping,  head  of  the  Naval  Commission. 
From  this  Council  are  elected  Trustees  and  an  Executive  Com- 
mittee. The  Trustees  are  five  in  number,  one  American,  one 
British,  one  German,  and  two  Chinese,  of  whom  the  German 
member,  Mr.  M.  Hoerter,  has  been  elected  Chairman.  The 
Executive  Committee  numbers  fifteen,  representing  at  present 
the  countries  of  China,  the  United  States,  Great  Britain, 
France,  Germany,  Russia,  and  Japan.  The  first  Chairman 
was  Sir  Robert  E.  Bredon,  K.  C.,  M.G.,  Deputy  Inspector- 
General  of  Maritime  Customs.  He  was  succeeded  by  Sir 
Charles  J.  Dudgeon,  one  of  the  British  Commissioners  on 
British-China  Commercial  Treaties.  He  was  followed  by  Mr. 
Alexander  McLeod,  one  of  the  oldest  of  British  merchants  in 
China.  On  his  retirement  the  end  of  last  year,  Taotai  Y.  C. 
Tong  of  the  Imperial  Telegraph  Company,  and  a former 
student  at  Columbia  University,  was  elected  Chairman.  The 
Vice-President  is  Taotai  Chu  Pao-san,  a successful  merchant 
and  a steady  supporter  of  The  Institute  from  its  establishment 
in  Shanghai.  The  present  Hon.  Secretary  is  Mr.  Leonard 
Everett  of  the  American  firm  of  Getz  Bros.  & Co.  The  Hon. 


19 


I reasurer  is  Mr.  \\  m.  L.  Richard,  chief  accountant  of  the 
Standard  Oil  Company  in  China.  The  Committee  holds  regu- 
lar meetings,  on  an  average,  once  in  two  months.  The  man- 
agement of  the  internal  workings  of  The  Institute  rests  with 
the  Director-in-Chief,  like  Managing  Director,  who  from  the 
beginning  has  been  Rev.  Gilbert  Reid,  D.D.,  a graduate  of 
Hamilton  College  and  Union  Theological  Seminary.  The 
main  responsibility  devolves  on  this  officer.  He  is  aided  by  a 
staff,  called  co-directors,  at  present,  as  mentioned  above,  Dr. 
\ ao  Ping-ren  and  Mr.  Yen  Shan-fang. 

Thus  an  organization  has  been  effected,  so  that  in  the 
resignation  or  death  of  any  one  person,  the  work  may  be 
continued  and  the  property  safeguarded. 

OBJECTS  OF  THE  INSTITUTE.— To  modify  slightly 
the  phraseology  of  the  Constitution,  the  objects  may  be  sum- 
marized in  two  words — the  seal  of  The  Institute — Harmony 
and  truth.  To  specify,  the  aims  are  (i)  friendly  relations 
between  Chinese  and  foreigners;  (2)  harmony  between  Chris- 
tians and  non-Christians  in  China,  for  the  peaceful  prosecu- 
tion of  Christian  Missions;  (3)  the  advancement  of  the  cause 
of  righteousness  and  reform,  of  truth,  knowledge,  and  en- 
lightenment; (4)  influence  among  the  higher  classes,  coopera- 
tion of  all  those  who  possess  power,  for  the  good  of  the  many, 
and  (5)  the  progress  of  China  and  the  welfare  of  the  Chinese 
people,  and  so  benefits  to  the  world. 

METHOD  OF  CARRYING  ON  THE  WORK.—  (1) 
From  the  beginning  the  work  has  been  predominantly  a social 
one,  more  especially  during  its  early  stages  in  Peking.  With- 
out a willingness  to  receive  callers  or  to  make  calls;  without 
the  ability  to  converse  in  the  Chinese  language ; without  topics 
for  discussion  of  supreme  importance  to  China ; without  the 
spirit  of  real  friendliness;  and  without  acquaintance  with  the 
customs  and  ceremonies  of  better-class  Chinese,  such  a work 
would  have  been  ineffectual.  There  must  be  scholarship,  but 


20 


a mere  scholar  would  shrink  from  the  task.  A missionary 
spirit  is  necessary,  but  the  spirit  of  proselytizing  would  close 
the  doors.  Practicality  is  essential,  but  the  sharp,  business 
sense  of  a concessionaire  would  have  created  jealousies  and 
raised  rivals.  For  a foreigner  to  cultivate  social  relations 
among  high-class  Chinese  is  a great  undertaking,  and  it  is  not 
easy.  As  Mr.  T.  R.  Jernigan  said,  at  the  last  regular  meeting 
in  Shanghai : “A  main  cause  which  has  delayed  a better  and 
more  intimate  acquaintance  between  China  and  the  West  has 
been  the  want  of  a proper  social  and  educational  knowledge 
of  each  other.  It  was  to  remove  such  a cause  and  bring 
about  the  needed  acquaintance  that  The  International  Insti- 
tute was  founded.”  As  bearing  on  this  phase  of  The  In- 
stitute’s work,  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  Chinese  ladies, 
as  well  as  the  men,  are  included ; hence  the  formation  of  the 
Ladies’  International  Tea-cup  Club,  whose  successful  develop- 
ment will  depend  on  a number  of  ladies  from  the  West  ready 
to  devote  themselves  to  the  new  task. 

2.  The  literary  method  has  been  adopted.  Short  documents 
on  vital  topics  of  the  time,  sometimes  prepared  as  memo- 
randa and  sometimes  as  memorials,  have  been  carefully  drawn 
up  in  suitable  Chinese  and  widely  circulated.  Treatises  of  a 
more  elaborate  character,  on  such  subjects  as  comparative 
governments,  Western  constitutions,  the  treaties;  and  history 
of  different  countries  have  been  or  are  to  be  published  in 
Chinese,  the  well-known  firm  of  Macmillan  & Co.,  Ltd.,  hav- 
ing lately  undertaken  to  publish  the  books  which  have  not 
yet  been  printed.  A monthly  paper,  called  “Institute  Record,” 
has  been  started  in  the  interests  of  peace,  conciliation,  and 
good-will,  and  circulates  not  only  among  the  members,  but 
among  the  Metropolitan  and  Provincial  authorities. 

3.  Lectures  and  public  addresses  in  Chinese  have  helped  on 
the  cause,  especially  during  the  last  eight  years,  when  freedom 
of  speech  has  been  more  permitted.  Besides  regular  courses 


21 


22 


Reception  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Denby 


of  lectures  in  Shanghai,  addresses  to  intelligent  audiences  of 
the  official  and  student  classes  have  been  delivered,  mostly  on 
the  invitation  of  different  Missions,  English  and  American, 
in  the  cities  of  Nanking,  Soochow,  Hangchow,  Ningpo,  and 
Foochow.  At  the  present  juncture  in  the  political  condition 
of  the  Empire,  when  new  schools  are  being  established,  and 
representative  government  is  being  attempted — when  officials 
are  bewildered,  and  the  heads  of  schools  worried  and  perplexed 
— The  International  Institute,  by  being  already  known,  would 
have  in  every  great  center  and  provincial  capital  abundant 
opportunity  to  give  helpful  advice  and  useful  information. 
The  audiences  addressed  would  be  either  the  leaders  of  to-day 
or  leaders  of  to-morrow.  Tens  of  thousands  of  this  class  are 
within  reach  of  this  Institute. 

4.  From  time  to  time  receptions,  or  banquets  and  luncheons, 
have  been  given  to  distinguished  visitors  from  abroad,  or  to 
prominent  Chinese  associated  with  The  Institute.  The  great- 
est difficulty  is  in  the  matter  of  expense,  receptions  being  the 
more  suitable  in  point  of  economy,  and  in  bringing  together  a 
larger  number  of  congenial  and  respectable  people  from  East 
and  West.  “Members  of  the  Centenary  Missionary  Con- 
ference,” says  the  Rev.  Dr.  W.  A.  P.  Martin,  “will  not  readily 
forget  a meeting  in  the  beautiful  grounds  of  The  Institute, 
presided  over  by  a high  Chinese  official  and  attended  by  man- 
darins of  many  grades.”  There  came  together,  on  a clear 
April  day,  nearly  800  guests,  who  were  delegates  or  visitors 
from  the  United  States,  Canada,  Great  Britain,  Germany, 
France,  the  Scandinavian  countries,  and  Switzerland,  as  well 
as  all  parts  of  China,  and,  with  them,  official  representatives 
from  the  Viceroy  Yuen  Shih-kai,  the  Viceroy  Tuan  Fang,  the 
Viceroy  Chou  Fu,  Governor  Chen  Kuei-lung,  the  Governor 
Chang  Tseng-yang,  along  with  His  Excellency  Lu  Hai-huan 
and  the  Shanghai  Taotai,  Jui  Cheng,  both  officers  of  The 
Institute.  They  were  brought  together  in  a most  happy  and 

23 


Mr.  Alex.  McLeod 
Ex-Chairman  Executive  Committee 


24 


genial  manner  by  special  invitation  of  The  International  Insti- 
tute. Ladies  of  the  foreign  community,  of  every  shade  of 
religious  views,  presided  at  27  tables,  which  were  arranged 
in  a large  semi-circle  across  the  grounds.  As  Rev.  John  C. 
Gibson,  D.D.,  President  of  the  Conference,  spoke  on  that 
occasion  : “We  have  seen  this  evening  these  gentlemen,  occupy- 
ing high  positions  under  the  Chinese  Government,  coming  here 
to  express  their  sympathy  with  the  objects  of  a Missionary 
Conference ; and  we  recognize  that  Dr.  Reid  has  been  emi- 
nently successful  in  establishing  intimate  and  friendly  rela- 
tions between  missionaries  as  a body  and  the  Government  of 
this  Empire.”  Other  occasions  have  given  tangible  proof  of 
the  cordiality  and  kindliness  with  which  East  and  West  may 
meet  each  other,  when  the  policy  of  The  Institute  is  given  full 
play  for  its  expression.  The  mere  social  tea  or  the  sumptuous 
banquet  is  never  viewed  as  satisfying  for  such  gatherings ; 
ideas,  the  intellectual  flavor,  “the  feast  of  reason  and  the  ilow 
of  soul,”  must  always  be  included  to  make  a meeting  pleasant 
and  of  benefit. 

5.  The  symposium,  a conference  of  kindred  spirits,  the  con- 
versazione, special  committee  work,  has  been  adopted  as  a 
useful  expedient  for  benefiting  and,  to  some  degree,  satisfying 
every  member  of  The  Institute.  To  carry  out  more  fully  the 
cooperative  principle,  the  work  so  far  as  it  affects  all  the  mem- 
bers, both  Chinese  and  other  nationals,  has  been  divided  into 
three  sections,  with  three  sectional  committees,  holding  sec- 
tional meetings.  It  seeks  to  benefit  men  in  business,  men  in 
education,  and  men  connected  with  Missions.  One  committee 
consists  of  merchants — eleven  Chinese  and  eleven  foreigners, 
the  latter  being  two  Americans,  two  British,  two  Germans, 
two  Japanese,  one  Frenchman,  one  Russian,  and  one  Hol- 
lander— who  confer  on  methods  for  promoting  or  improving 
trade,  by  joint  action,  and  who  are  ready  to  render  friendly 
mediation  in  cases  of  dispute  between  Chinese  and  foreign 


25 


members  of  The  Institute.  There  are  both  a Chinese  and 
foreign  Chairman,  Mr.  M.  Hoerter  of  the  German  firm  of 
Slevogt  & Co.,  and  Taotai  Chou  Chin-chen,  President  of  the 
Chinese  Chamber  of  Commerce.  A second  committee  consists 
of  about  an  equal  number  of  Chinese  and  foreigners  interested 
in  questions  of  education  and  matters  of  advanced  learning, 
with  Rev.  Dr.  George  L.  Stuart,  of  the  American  Methodist 
Mission,  formerly  President  of  Nanking  University,  and  Tao- 
tai Chung  Mun-yew,  Director  of  the  Shanghai-Nanking  R.  R., 
and  China  Merchants’  S.  S.  Co.,  of  the  Class  of  ’83  at  Yale, 
as  Chairman.  The  third  committee  consists  of  Chinese  and 
foreigners  interested  in  religious  problems  and  the  peace  of 
the  missionary  work,  a company  of  men  who  represent  not 
only  different  forms  of  Protestantism,  but  Confucianism,  Mo- 
hammedanism, Buddhism,  Taoism,  and  the  ancient  Hebrew 
religion.  The  Chinese  Chairman  is  Taotai  Shen  Tun-ho,  who 
was  so  conspicuous  in  settling  up  the  question  of  indemnifying 
the  missionaries  in  the  province  of  Shanse  for  losses  incurred 
from  the  Boxer  outbreak.  The  foreign  Chairman  is  Rev.  Dr. 
Timothy  Richard,  of  the  English  Baptist  Mission,  head  of  the 
Christian  Literature  Society  in  China,  and  Chancellor  of  the 
Shanse  Provincial  University.  To  these  three  special  com- 
mittees of  men  might  be  added  the  Ladies’  International  Tea- 
cup Club,  in  which  Chinese  and  foreign  ladies  meet  on  the 
basis  of  equality,  in  mutual  esteem,  and  equally  honored  in 
the  Society’s  offices. 

6.  The  Institute  has  been  educational.  When  located  in 
Peking,  the  Director-in-Chief  was  a friend  to  schools  which 
were  conducted  by  others.  He  was  invited  to  visit  them  at 
stated  periods,  to  examine  the  students  and  to  offer  sugges- 
tions for  their  improvement.  He  conferred  with  the  Grand 
Secretary,  Li  Hung-chang,  concerning  a proposed  National 
University,  and  he  urged  the  matter  on  the  Government  author- 
ities through  a special  Memorial.  After  removal  to  Shanghai, 

26 


he  undertook  three  special  departments  of  class-room  work, 
viz : Languages,  Political  Science  and  History,  and  advanced 
Chinese  Literature.  He  has  conferred  with  the  Board  of 
Education,  as  to  a broader  policy  in  the  educational  reforms, 
and  the  Ministers  of  the  Board  showed  appreciation  by  con- 
tributing as  individuals  to  The  Institute.  At  present  there  is 
uncertainty  as  to  the  continuance  of  class-room  work.  Those 
who  understand  the  situation  best  are  inclined  to  leave  this 
work  to  others — to  Government  schools  or  to  Westerners  who 
have  liberal  support  for  distinctive  Christian  Schools  or  Uni- 
versities. Should  this  result,  the  educational  work  of  The 
International  Institute  would  in  future  be  more  of  the  char- 
acter of  University-extension  and  of  special  research,  some- 
what similar  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  the  Carnegie 
Institute  at  Washington.  All  the  various  kinds  of  work  car- 
ried on,  and  all  the  opportunities  which  lie  open  to  be  immedi- 
ately utilized,  require  a vast  expenditure  of  money.  Under 
limited  resources,  it  would  be  more  practicable  to  forego  class- 
room work,  which  others  can  do,  and  to  be  free  to  develop  the 
distinctive  features  of  The  Institute  in  widest  application  to  the 
leaders  of  thought  throughout  the  Empire. 

7.  The  plan  of  The  Institute  has  included  a library — both 
Chinese  and  foreign  literature — and  a museum  partaking  of 
the  character  of  a permanent  exhibit.  Whether  these  shall 
be  undertaken  or  not  will  depend  on  large  donations  or  no 
donation  from  the  very  rich.  As  is  the  investment,  so  is  the 
work. 

UNIQUE  FEATURES  OF  THE  PLAN.— (1)  The  plan 
recognizes  the  joint  action  and  control  of  both  Chinese  and 
foreign  residents  in  China.  The  International  Institute  of 
China  is,  on  the  one  side,  of  China,  and  on  the  other,  interna- 
tional. The  Constitution  defines  it:  “To  promote  harmony 
between  Chinese  and  foreigners.”  The  Shanghai  Club,  the 
Recreation  Ground,  the  Public  Gardens,  in  Shanghai,  are 

27 


Governor  Tseng  Yun 
Annual  Subscriber  to  Institute 


28 


reserved  for  “Europeans.”  From  many  public  enterprises  in 
China  foreigners  likewise  are  excluded.  The  cry  of  “China 
for  the  Chinese”  deprecates  foreign  concessions.  The  Insti- 
tute is  a common  meeting-ground.  At  the  farewell  reception 
to  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Gilbert  Reid,  Taotai  Y.  C.  Tong,  the  Chair- 
man, pithily  and  humorously  remarked : “This  place  is  neither 
Chinese  nor  foreign;  it  is  international.  No  man  is  a stranger 
within  these  walls  unless  he  is  one  of  those  fortunately  rare 
people  so  puffed  up  with  pride  in  his  own  country  that  he 
arrogantly  despises  all  others.  That  sort  of  gentleman  never 
comes  here.” 

2.  Again,  to  state  the  matter  differently,  The  Institute  is 
thoroughly  cosmopolitan.  It  is  an  International  Institute. 
For  the  spirit  of  cosmopolitanism  Shanghai  stands  supreme; 
it  has  therefore  heartily  responded  to  this  feature  of  The  Insti- 
tute. If  any  one  man  helps  liberally,  no  matter  what  his 
nationality,  all  join  in  singing  his  praises.  If  any  one  country 
excels  in  generosity  to  China  and  to  this  joint  enterprise,  that 
country  gains  prestige.  No  country  is  excluded ; the  door 
stands  open  to  all. 

3.  The  Institute  illustrates  the  missionary  spirit ; without  it, 
the  work,  in  the  face  of  countless  obstacles,  would  never  have 
been  done.  Selfishness,  national  aggrandizement,  the  spolia- 
tion of  China,  narrowness,  bigotry,  and  “all  uncharitableness,” 
are  ruled  out.  The  non-missionary  circles  of  Shanghai  in 
entering  into  the  work  of  The  Institute  have  been  at  heart  as 
missionary  as  the  missionaries  themselves.  The  enterprise  is 
supported  by  no  missionary  society,  but  it  is  always  ready  to 
help  the  great  missionary  propaganda,  whatever  the  church, 
whatever  the  nation  that  sends  the  men. 

4.  The  Institute  makes  no  discrimination  between  one  Reli- 
gion and  another.  It  stands  for  religions  toleration  and  lib- 
erty of  conscience.  It  inculcates  conciliation  in  treatment  of 
the  non-Christian  religions.  It  is  humanitarian.  The  word 


29 


“heathen”  is  eliminated  from  its  terminology.  The  adherents 
of  all  Faiths  never  fear  to  come  to  its  rooms.  Proselytism, 
suitable  in  its  place,  is  left  to  churches,  temples,  mosques  and 
synagogues.  As  Sir  Nicholas  Hannen,  British  Judge  and  Con- 
sul-General, said  in  1897,  “This  Institute  is  a mission  of  en- 
lightenment, not  of  evangelization.”  And  yet  religion,  moral- 
ity, and  righteousness  ought  not  to  be  discarded.  There  are 
fundamental  ideas  of  religion,  imbedded  in  humanity  by  the 
One  Supreme  Being,  which  may  lie  at  the  basis  of  this  work, 
as  they  are  essential  to  all  national  prosperity.  No  one  has 
yet  found  fault  with  the  Christian  spirit,  in  which  the  work 
has  been  conducted.  In  each  of  the  Official  Sanctions  given  by 
the  Imperial  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs,  the  founder  of  The 
Institute  has  been  called  a “missionary,”  a “clergyman,”  and 
yet  it  was  distinctly  understood  that  “the  hall  of  learning”  was 
not  to  be  a “church.” 

5.  All  through  the  years,  the  aim  has  been  to  win  over  to 
union-efforts  the  men  and  women  of  greatest  influence — the 
leaders  in  the  Empire,  the  higher  classes,  and  the  best  of  those 
who  are  “guests  from  abroad.”  The  Constitution  again  reads : 
“To  afford  facilities  for  imparting  instruction,  truth,  and  en- 
lightenment to  the  higher  classes  of  Chinese,  so  that  thereby 
helpful  influences  may  be  exercised  on  the  masses  of  the 
people.”  The  Institute  is  still  a .Mission  among  the  Higher 
Classes  in  China,  though  this  feature  is  less  distinctive  to-day 
than  at  the  start,  as  it  has  won  its  way  into  nearly  every  mis- 
sionary organization.  Largely  for  this  reason  the  New  York 
Journal  of  Commerce  says : “This  Institute  would  not  cost 
one  per  cent,  of  a fortified  port,  and  in  the  way  of  affecting  the 
course  of  Chinese  commerce  it  would  be  scarcely  less  effective; 
it  is  not  very  visionary  to  say  that  it  would  be  more  effective.” 

6.  The  Institute,  while  haying  none  of  the  disadvantages 
of  Government  control,  has  had  the  sanction  and  recognition 
of  the  Chinese  Government  and  of  Chinese  officials.  What 


30 


has  been  recounted  above  clearly  shows  this  forth.  It  is 
semi-official.  It  is  to  be  doubted  if  the  scheme  would  have 
become  more  than  an  individual  experiment,  if  the  official 
document  had  not  been  procured  in  April,  1897,  and  the 
wisdom  of  undertaking  another  campaign  in  its  behalf  is  due 
to  the  further  recognition  which  has  been  granted.  Rev.  Dr. 
Martin  in  1909  says:  “It  is  fifteen  years  since  Dr.  Reid 
conceived  the  idea  of  such  an  Institution ; and  few  know 
how  perseveringly  he  has  pursued  the  vision — ignis  fatuus 
though  it  was  deemed  by  most  of  his  friends.  Compelled 
by  the  Boxer  war  to  transfer  his  operations  from  Peking 
to  Shanghai,  the  only  things  which  he  brought  with  him, 
as  the  result  of  his  transient  location  in  the  Capital,  were 
an  Endorsement  by  the  Foreign  Office,  and  a cordial  com- 
mendation from  the  pen  of  the  great  Viceroy,  Li  Hung- 
chang.  These,  however,  were  invaluable  assets,  and  they 
have  served  as  corner-stones  for  these  handsome  edifices — 
bespeaking  the  confidence  and  cooperation  of  officials  and 
gentry.”  In  fact,  The  Institute  has  held  a unique  position, 
and  has  an  unusual  opportunity,  from  the  connections  made 
and  the  favor  forthcoming,  among  official  circles. 

7.  The  Institute  stands  for  friendliness,  for  helpfulness,  to 
China.  It  is  preeminently  altruistic.  A leading  newspaper 
in  St.  Petersburg  headed  an  article  on  The  Institute  by  the 
English  words : “A  Helping  Hand  to  China/’  The  Constitu- 
tion starts  with  the  words:  “To  promote  the  welfare  of 
China  and  the  Chinese  people.”  When  Prince  Kung  first 
granted  to  Dr.  Reid  the  privilege  of  approaching  direct  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Affairs,  he  summed  it  up  in  the  words : 
“We  recognize  you  as  a friend  to  China.”  When  in  1906, 
His  Excellency,  Viceroy  Chou  Fu,  unveiled  the  tablet  to  the 
hall  dedicated  by  Mr.  William  G.  Low  to  his  father,  Abiel 
Abbot  Low,  these  words  were  uttered:  “The  idea  of  a friend 
from  afar  is  highly  illustrated  to-day,  and  it  is  hoped  new 

31 


Sir  Robert  Bredon,  K.C.M.G. 
Former  Chairman  Executive  Committee 


32 


illustrations  will  appear  in  the  future  again  and  again.”  In 
the  Emperor  of  China  bestowing  upon  Mr.  William  G.  Low 
an  Imperial  decoration,  appreciation  of  friendship  was  fit- 
tingly shown.  What  China  wants  to-day  is  friends — indi- 
viduals that  are  friends,  nations  and  governments  that  are 
friends. 

OPPORTUNITIES  OF  USEFULNESS.— The  special 
opportunities  of  this  Institute  are  seen  in  what  has  been  out- 
lined above.  To  specify:  (i)  There  are  opportunities  of  an 
unusual  character  through  the  connections  which  have  been 
satisfactorily  established  with  the  leaders  among  the  Chinese. 
(2)  There  are  opportunities  through  the  cordial  support  and 
cooperation  of  foreign  residents  in  China  of  every  nation- 
ality, without  any  religious  bias  and  discord,  or  national 
jealousy  and  unpleasantness  through  all  these  years.  (3) 
The  time  is  opportune,  owing  to  the  changed  attitude  to  ques- 
tions of  reform,  and  the  existing  friendliness  to  America. 
(4)  There  is  opportunity  in  joining  forces  with  a scheme 
that  has  already  been  tested  and  approved,  rather  than  one  to 
be  put  forward  anew  and  be  hereafter  tried.  The  “conces- 
sion” has  been  granted  by  the  Chinese  Government,  and  work 
has  begun  without  opposition  from  the  Chinese  or  any  other 
people.  (5)  By  being  free  from  national,  racial,  and  reli- 
gious prejudices,  workers  in  The  Institute  have  free  entree  to 
homes  and  hearts  of  influential  Chinese  all  over  the  Empire. 
(6)  By  placing  primary  emphasis  on  the  personnel,  and  sec- 
ondary emphasis  on  bricks  and  mortar,  the  vitality  and  per- 
manence of  the  work  is  assured,  and  economy  of  energy  and 
money  is  safe-guarded.  (7)  By  basing  the  principles  of  The 
Institute  on  well-tried  principles  of  humanity,  the  application 
of  the  work  to  conditions  in  China  will  always  be  needed.  (8) 
The  opportunity  is  great  owing  to  the  far-reaching  bearings 
of  the  work  on  great  problems,  as  the  peace  of  the  world  as 
as  well  as  the  uplift  of  China. 

33 


3 I 


Institute  Buildings 


LOCATION  OF  THE  INSTITUTE.— The  first  location 
was  in  Peking,  the  next  in  Shanghai ; now  it  is  needed  in  both 
Peking  and  Shanghai.  Every  provincial  capital,  every  large 
treaty-port,  should  have  a branch.  Property  may  be  needed 
only  in  Shanghai,  possibly  also  in  Peking;  in  other  places  are 
needed  workers,  who  will  join  hands  with  the  Chinese  and 
foreign  residents. 

WHAT  IS  ASKED  FOR  FROM  AMERICANS.— (i) 
Good  will  is  asked  for,  not  harsh  criticism  or  short-sighted 
jealousy.  (2)  Opportunities  are  desired  to  present  the  cause 
and  tell  the  story,  in  church  pulpit,  on  public  platform,  in 
university  hall,  in  Chambers  of  Commerce,  before  Peace 
Societies,  through  the  press,  in  private  drawing-room,  at 
Women’s  Clubs — any  place  where  kind  hearts  may  be  found. 

(3)  Ten  male  workers  and  five  lady  workers,  specially  quali- 
fied, who  either  know  the  Chinese  language  or  are  willing  to 
learn  it,  are  asked  to  offer  themselves  for  personal  service. 

(4)  Each  one  who  reads  these  lines,  if  possessed  of  this 
world’s  goods,  is  asked  to  become  an  annual  subscribing  mem- 
ber of  $10.  The  help  is  not  sought  from  those  whose  ways  of 
livelihood  are  hard  and  trying.  (5)  Will  anyone  whom 
Providence  has  greatly  blessed  with  material  prosperity,  and 
who  has  a feeling  of  sympathy  for  China  in  solving  her  great 
problems,  help  the  cause,  and  give  the  pleasure,  by  bearing  the 
salary  of  one  person  or  one  family  as  one’s  own  representa- 
tive? (6)  A College  or  University  is  asked  to  appoint  one 
of  its  graduates  as  its  educational  representative  and  to  ar- 
range for  his  permanent  support.  (7)  Some  one  is  asked  to 
provide  an  endowment  of  $40,000  to  meet  the  salary  and 
expenses  of  one  man  in  continued  service.  (8)  More  contribu- 
tions are  needed  for  erecting  an  Institute  Hall  in  Shanghai, 
and  another  for  Peking,  as  tangible  evidence  of  American 
generosity.  (9)  Whoever  may  be  interested  in  some 
particular  phase  of  the  work  outlined  above  is  invited 

35 


to  give  special  help  to  that,  rather  than  to  the  general 
funds. 

The  late  Rev.  Edward  Everett  Hale  once  gave  utterance  to 
the  following  message : 

“Look  up  and  not  down ; 

Look  forward  and  not  back; 

Look  out  and  not  in : 

Lend  a hand!” 


American  address  of  Director-in-Chief,  Dr.  Gilbert  Reid. 
59  Wall  Street,  New  York  City,  in  care  of  Brown  Bros.  & 
Co. 

Hon.  Treas.  American  Committee,  Mr.  James  S.  Fearon, 
International  Banking  Corporation.  60  Wall  Street,  New 
York  City. 


36 


APPROVAL  OF  CHINESE  AND  AMERICAN 
GOVERNMENTS 

OFFICIAL  CORRESPONDENCE 

lion.  Philander  C.  Knox,  Secretary  of  State,  Washington, 
D.  G: 

I beg  leave  to  bring  to  your  attention  some  of  the  different 
forms  of  recognition  which  have  been  given  by  the  Chinese 
government  to  an  American  citizen  residing  in  China  and  to 
an  institution  under  his  direction. 

In  the  year  1897,  in  the  month  of  March,  the  following 
sanction  and  recognition  was  given  by  the  Imperial  Board  of 
Foreign  Affairs,  under  its  official  seal: 

“We,  the  princes  and  ministers  constituting  the  Imperial 
Board  of  Foreign  Affairs,  do  issue  the  following  instructions 
in  reply : 

“The  American  missionary,  Gilbert  Reid,  has  many  times 
presented  to  the  board  documents  setting  forth  his  views  as  to 
the  requirements  of  the  times.  He  has  also  laid  before  us 
proposals  for  the  erection  of  an  institute  of  learning.  These 
papers  we  have  looked  over  and  find  them  marked  by  sa- 
gacious insight. 

“The  said  missionary  has  lived  in  China  many  years  and  is 
intimately  acquainted  with  the  state  of  affairs.  His  learn- 
ing penetrates  to  fundamental  principles  and  his  heart  is  ani- 
mated by  benevolent  motives  which  are  of  high  praise. 

“Besides  keeping  these  documents  on  file  for  future  refer- 
ence, we  assure  the  said  missionary  that  when  his  plan  for 
The  Institute  goes  into  operation,  if  the  actuality  answers  to 
the  prospectus,  producing  good  and  not  evil,  this  Board  will, 
after  due  investigation,  confer  additional  tokens  of  approval. 
In  the  meantime  let  the  secretary  of  the  Board  convey  to  Mr. 

37 


Rev.  Dr.  Gilbert  Rf.il> 


3* 


Reid  this  expression  of  our  cordial  commendation  along  with 
his  original  petition. 

“Given  (at  Peking)  under  the  seal  of  the  Board  of  Foreign 
Affairs,  in  the  2d  moon  of  23d  year  of  Kwang  Su  (March, 
1897).” 

About  the  same  time  the  two  princes  and  nine  ministers  of 
the  P'oreign  Office  sent  to  me  an  honorific  banner  as  an  indica- 
tion of  their  good  will. 

Last  year,  in  the  month  of  December,  a second  recognition, 
under  official  seal,  was  sent  to  me  by  the  Imperial  Board  of 
Foreign  Affairs.  It  reads  as  follows: 

“The  Imperial  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs  issues  the  follow- 
ing instructions  in  reply : 

“The  founder  of  The  International  Institute  of  China,  an 
American  missionary,  Rev.  Gilbert  Reid,  has  presented  a me- 
morial containing  regulations  for  the  establishment  of  this 
Institute  and  also  an  account  of  the  operations  of  The  In- 
stitute during  the  last  few  years.  These  documents  have  been 
carefully  perused.  Said  missionary  has  lived  in  China  many 
years  and  has  shown  great  zeal  in  the  management  of  educa- 
tional affairs.  His  efforts  are  worthy  of  high  praise.  There- 
fore this  Board  has  set  apart  taels  two  thousand  ($1,500)  to 
help  The  Institute,  and  also  bestows  on  The  Institute  one 
tablet,  which  is  hereby  handed  over  to  said  missionary  for  his 
acceptance.  Concerning  an  American  citizen,  William  Gil- 
man Low,  who  has  contributed  altogether  over  taels  thirteen 
thousand  ($10,000),  the  Board  finds  that  he  takes  pleasure  in 
righteous  deeds  and  that  he  loves  to  be  generous.  Therefore 
this  Board  has  memorialized  the  Throne  and  has  received  an 
Imperial  Edict  directing  that  the  Imperial  Order  of  the  Yellow 
Dragon  be  conferred  on  him  by  way  of  formal  recognition. 

“An  official  reply,  on  the  fifth  day  of  the  nth  moon  of  the 
first  year  of  the  Emperor  Husan  Tung  (December  16, 
1909).” 


39 


Prior  to  my  return  to  the  United  States,  the  tablet  pre- 
sented by  the  Board  of  Foreign  Affairs  was  unveiled,  the 
ceremony  being  performed  by  Robert  Dollar  of  San  Francisco 
and  by  Taotai  Mun  Yew  Chung,  a Yale  graduate  of  the  class 
of  1893.  Greetings  were  also  given  to  us  in  view  of  our  leav- 
ing for  this  country.  Besides  speeches  from  the  former  chair- 
man of  the  executive  committee,  an  English  merchant,  Mr. 
Alexander  McLeod,  and  from  the  present  chairman,  Taotai 
Y.  C.  Tong,  a former  student  at  Columbia  University,  there 
were  greetings  from  officials  specially  deputed  by  the  follow- 
ing high  officials:  The  president  of  the  Board  of  Posts  and 
Communications,  the  viceroy  at  Nanking,  the  viceroy  at  "Wu- 
chang, the  viceroy  at  Canton,  the  viceroy  at  Mukden,  the  gov- 
ernor at  Soochow,  the  governor  at  Hangchow,  the  governor 
at  Mukden,  and  the  governor  of  the  province  of  Shantung. 
This  cordial  expression  of  friendliness  from  officials  hold- 
ing office  in  different  parts  of  China  is  worthy  of  being  noted 
in  this  connection  as  showing  the  attitude  of  influential 
Chinese  towards  our  country. 

While  this  honor  has  been  bestowed  on  an  American,  and 
friendliness  has  been  shown  to  the  United  States,  it  should 
also  be  borne  in  mind  that  The  Institute  which  has  been  recog- 
nized is  international,  and  therefore  the  Chinese,  in  giving 
formal  recognition,  are  in  sympathy  with  the  cosmopolitan 
character  of  The  Institute,  and  are  friendly  disposed  to  the 
best  of  all  countries. 

I have  been  especially  deputed  by  the  officers  and  members 
of  The  International  Institute  to  bring  to  the  attention  of 
people  in  this  country  the  interests  of  The  Institute  and  the 
cause  of  international  good  will ; and  I would  be  pleased  if 
you  can  find  it  possible  to  countenance  and  assist  this  under- 
taking. I remain,  sir,  your  most  obedient  sen-ant, 

GILBERT  REID, 

Director-in-Chief. 


40 


Department  of  State,  Washington,  May  31,  1910. 
Rev.  Gilbert  Reid,  D.D.,  Director-in-Chief  of  The  Interna- 
tional Institute  of  China : 

I have  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication 
of  May  27,  1910,  acquainting  me  with  the  recognition  and 
assistance  given  to  The  International  Institute  of  China  by 
the  Chinese  government  and  with  the  moral  and  financial 
support  which  The  Institute  has  received  from  many  officials 
and  merchants  of  various  nationalities. 

The  department  is  happy  to  learn  that  an  international,  phil- 
anthropic enterprise,  undertaken  with  the  object  of  dissemi- 
nating knowledge  in  China,  and  promoting  friendly  intercourse 
between  Chinese  and  others,  has  met  with  such  substantial 
tokens  of  approval  from  the  Chinese  government.  It  is  espe- 
cially gratifying  to  know  that  such  an  important  enterprise  is 
under  the  direction  of  an  American  citizen. 

One  of  the  principal  sources  of  international  friction  is 
the  lack  of  acquaintanceship.  Differences  of  language,  social 
custom  and  religion  are  apt  to  breed  suspicion  and  prejudice, 
which  are,  nevertheless,  easily  removed  by  the  better  mutual 
understanding  which  your  Institute,  having  a representative 
international  character,  ought  to  be  able  to  promote. 

While  the  department  is  not  authorized  to  give  direct  as- 
sistance to  any  form  of  missionary  activity,  the  policy  of  our 
government  has  uniformly  been  to  seek  the  largest  toleration 
for  all  enterprises  that  look  toward  the  moral  and  social  bet- 
terment of  mankind  and  the  promotion  and  preservation  of 
peace  among  the  nations,  and  I have  no  doubt  that  the  work 
of  The  International  Institute  will  contribute  to  these  ends  by 
the  frank  and  friendly  relations  which  it  seeks  to  establish 
between  the  Chinese  and  men  of  other  nationalities  and  by  the 
atmosphere  of  mutual  confidence  which  it  will  thus  help  to 
create.  I am.  sir,  your  obedient  servant,  P.  C.  KNOX. 


4i 


AMERICAN  COMMITTEE 


William  G.  Low,  Esq.,  President,  30  Broad  St.,  New  York. 

James  S.  Fearon,  Esq.,  Hon.  Treas.,  International  Banking 
Corporation,  60  Wall  St. 

Wm.  G.  Low,  Jr.,  Esq.,  Hon.  Secretary,  37  Wall  St. 

Hon.  John  Barrett,  Director  Bureau  of  American  Re- 
publics, Washington,  D.  C. 

John  N.  Beach,  Esq.,  Bliss,  Fabyan  & Co.,  32  Thomas  St. 

Edwin  M.  Bulkley,  Esq.,  Spencer  Trask  & Co.,  43  Ex- 
change Place. 

Col.  E.  H.  Conklin,  34  Spruce  St. 

Geo.  E.  Dunham,  Esq.,  Utica  Press,  Utica,  N.  Y. 

Amory  A.  Lawrence,  Esq.,  Boston,  Mass. 

G.  H.  Macy,  Esq.,  Carter,  Macy  & Co.,  142  Pearl  St. 

Abbott  L.  Mills,  Esq.,  Portland,  Oregon. 

David  A.  Monro,  Esq.,  North  American  Review. 

Gen.  Wm.  B.  Parsons,  60  Wall  St. 

Rev.  Geo.  F.  Pentecost,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Northfield,  Mass. 

Col.  David  B.  Sickels,  ioo  Broadway. 

Francis  Louis  Slade,  Esq.,  115  Broadway. 

Frank  Sullivan  Smith,  Esq.,  54  Wall  St. 

William  H.  Stevens,  Esq.,  American  Trading  Co.,  25 
Broad  St. 

George  Gray  Ward,  Manager  Commercial  Pacific  Cable  Co., 
253  Broadway. 

Silas  D.  Webb,  Esq.,  China  and  Japan  Trading  Co.,  36 
Burling  Slip. 


42 


